Jon, it should be noted, is a physicist, and something about his tone of voice made me sit up and take notice; “You sound a bit surprised.”

“We’re taking a huge risk trying to contact aliens,” he extemporized. “We’re signaling out into space, we’re sending up getting-to-know-you kits with cds and books and art, which is all lovely, but a seriously bad idea. Any alien race that can get to us is going to be so much more advanced – because, clearly, we can’t get to their planet yet and they can get to ours – so until we can get to other planets we should really keep our heads down and stay under the radar. Historically, being colonized usually doesn’t go well for the natives. I always think about that at Thanksgiving.”

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy (about 5 mins)

Add the egg and vanilla extract, then incorporate the flour and coco a couple of tbsp at a time until mixed

Stir in the chocolate chips and cranberries

Use 2 tsps to scoop out mixture, roll in your hands to shape, and lay on a cold baking tray covered with parchment. (You can keep the cookie dough in the fridge for a couple of days, bring to room temp for 15 mins or so, then roll)